Tropical Cyclone Monitoring and Analysis Techniques: A Review

Abstract

Tropical cyclones (TCs), including tropical depressions and different categories of typhoons, hurricanes, and cyclonic storms, mostly originate over the oceans in the absence of direct observations. Thus, detailed monitoring and analysis of TCs has always been an unsolved problem. In the recent 20 years, great changes have taken place in domestic and foreign TC monitoring techniques, imposing a significant impact on TC operations and research. Some new technologies and products gradually emerge to support operations, with improved monitoring accuracy. In this paper, the progress on TC monitoring and analysis via meteorological satellites, radars, and airplanes in China and the world is reviewed, compared, and summarized, with special focuses on multisatellite fusion observations, in situ aircraft measurements, and some unconventional observation equipment such as rockets, saildrones, and underwater gliders. On this basis, the paper points out future directions for improving TC monitoring and analysis in aid of better TC forecast and early warning.